In a recent visit to the evacuees of the civil unrest in Surigao del Sur, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that she will explore, in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU), the possibility of providing core shelters for the displaced families.
“Makikipag-ugnayan kami kay Governor Johnny Pimentel para sa lokasyon kung saan puwedeng makapagpatayo ng mga permanenteng pabahay paras sa inyo upang maging mas komportable kayo (We will coordinate with Governor Johnny Pimentel for a location where we can build core shelters for you, so that you will have better living conditions),” Sec. Soliman told community leaders representing the internally-displaced families (IDPs) during a meeting.
“Ug mosugot kamo, himuan kamo ug panimalay worth P30,000 – P50,000, kung asa aduna gayud kamo’y kaugalingon nga CR ug linya sa tubig, dili parehas dinhi sa inyong kahimtang (You will be provided with your own houses worth P30,000 – P50,000, wherein you will have your own CR with water lines, more comfortable than your conditions here),” Sec. Soliman added.
With the proposal, the provincial LGU shall find a resettlement site while DSWD shall forge a partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the construction of the shelter units. DSWD shall also hire the IDPs, through cash for work, in the construction of their respective core houses.
After meeting the IDPs and the local officials, the Secretary went around the evacuation site to check the condition of the evacuees and the relief operations.
As of October 5, a total of 822 families or 4,191 persons have been displaced by the incident where 814 families or 3,822 persons are staying at the three evacuation centers opened and managed by LGUs. The evacuees come from the towns of San Miguel, Tago, Marihatag, San Agustin, and Lianga.
To date, a total of P7,174,893.88 worth of relief assistance have been provided to the affected families from the combined resources of the DSWD with P2,402,257.88, LGUs with P1,121,900, non-government organizations with P1,546,000, and from other sources with P2,104,736.
The assistance from DSWD comprised of 2,824 family food packs, non-food items, Nutri-cereals, and medical and burial assistance. Psycho-social processing activities were also held for the IDPs such as art and play therapy for the children.
Members of the DSWD-CARAGA disaster teams continue to assist LGUs in managing the evacuation centers and in identifying the other needs of the evacuees. ###
